ALLY MCCOIST expects the former Rangers star to succeed as he takes over at Blackpool and admits he and Ferguson are two of a kind.

The Rangers boss is delighted to see the former Ibrox midfielder take his first steps into management at Blackpool – because McCoist appreciates the similarities that make him and Barry touchline twins.

He said: “There would have been plenty of people who’d never have imagined Barry or me would have gone down the managerial road.

“And I suspect that, similar to myself, the notion of going into management didn’t strike Barry until late in his career. I’m looking forward to seeing how he handles the job.”

Ferguson took over from sacked Paul Ince for yesterday’s 1-1 draw at home to Doncaster without having had time to call McCoist to ask for advice.

But Ally said: “I will tell him that the only thing to expect is the unexpected – though he’ll never get the unexpected things that came my way at Rangers.

“I’ll also advise him to go on playing for as long as he can because he’s walked into the lion’s den of management in the English Championship.

“The life expectancy of any manager there is, on average, 14 months – but Barry has had plenty of experience looking after himself.

“The biggest compliment paid to him at Ibrox was that, as a young man, he was entrusted with the captaincy of a side which included the likes of Jorg Albertz, Stefan Klos and Giovanni van Bronckhurst.

“He’s arrived at that stage in life where he wonders what he’ll do to support his family when he hangs the boots up.

“And the chequered past he’s led, on and off the park, will stand him in good stead because he’ll be equipped to handle any off-the-wall characters in his dressing room at Blackpool.”

No boss of a major club who took over from a legend will have endured the difficulties that faced McCoist when he succeeded Walter Smith.

But he said: “How could I regret becoming the manager of Rangers? There might have been times when I’ve asked myself, ‘What are you doing here?’ But regrets? Never.

“I have the dream job but not at the dream time or under the kind of circumstances you dream of. If the last two years have taught me anything it’s not to look any Further forward than the end of my nose.

“I could’ve stayed where I was, with a career in TV. That would’ve been 100 per cent easier than the path I took.

“When I go to work it’s about making tough decisions but I don’t think I underwent a personality transformation in order to handle that.

“I did what Barry will have to do at Blackpool. I let people see a side of my personality they hadn’t witnessed before.

“Of course I’ve made mistakes but I know I can look myself in the mirror at all times.

“I was out for lunch with Walter and Graeme Souness and I was saying to them that coming from a team that made managers of people like Stuart McCall, John Brown and Terry Butcher made me feel proud.”

What McCoist has that Ferguson won’t have to deal with is the huge burden of expectation from fans.

He knows his team will be expected to return to the top flight and win the title.

But McCoist said: “We’re miles away from being in a position to do that. The facts are there for all to see. Lee McCulloch and Lee Wallace have been involved with teams who’ve been involved in a championship race.

“The rest have had the odd moment in cup competitions but why should they be expected to be able to handle a title race? It would be unfair on them.”